In the Forest of Cosmeer, a party of adventurers traveled throughout the night in search of the Keep of Cosmeer. The party was lead by Ildric and followed by Lorent, Godafrid, Mirko, and Calamus.

Halfway across a swamp, the party stopped at Lorent's command. "There is something in the mud over there." The ranger was confident in his ability to sense and prepared his bow. When the surface of the swamp began to ripple and a ridged spine curled back into the depth, Ildric ordered the party to prepare their weapons.

They waited but nothing happened. Reluctant, Ildric turned to Godfraid. "Watch over us, brother." With a sword and a torch, Ildric advanced toward the threat. "Mirko and Calamus, on me."

They tested the depth of the swamp with long branches. Without warning, a great black serpent erupted from the mud and took Mirko by surprise. The warrior was pulled into the water as the serpent dove and twisted violently below.

Mirko returned to the surface when a light flashed brightly in the water as Godafrid shouted words of his faith. Lorent opened fire on as Ildric and Calamus charged at the serpent. They fight was quick and viloent. Wounded, the slick scales of the serpent cracked and oozed with a dark and sizzling substance.

When the serpent fell, it brought down Calamus. From a hill above the swamp, Mirko cried the fate of Calamus with a heavy breath as he lie wounded. "I warned you all! The waters are cursed!"

Ildric and Godafrid recovered the fallen warrior. With effective treatment applied by Godafrid, the warrior survived. Mirko expressed his condition too late and when the party found Mirko, he had succumbed to his wounds.

From the swamp, the serpent rose once more. The party fought it on the hill and was nearly defeated. Godafrid covered the party's retreat and was slain by the serpent.

The party pressed on and found the Keep of Cosmeer on a hill in the swamp. Ildric and Calamus studied their plans to besiege the ruin as Lorent secured the perimeter.